The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-07
DOINGS OF THE DOCTORS.
A DELEGATE FEELS INSULTED
AND wITHDRAwS

fSlCnhrQ Oay READS an interesting
Paper on the Effects of Overfiows
and Their Renedies-The Sessions
of the Sections Very Slimly At
tended.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.-President Davis
called the International Medical Congress
to order at II o'clock this morning and in
troduced DR.. Austin Flint, of New York,
who proceeded to read his paper on fever,
its causes, mechanism and rational treat
ment His paper was largely of techni-
cal character, and was listened to with pro
found interest by the large audience
of doctors present President Davis an
nounced in the meeting that the amount of
work in the various sections was such that
it was found desirable that they should hold
sessions for two hours in the afternoon. For
this reason it would probably be more salts
factory to all parties, if the address of Prof.
Zemmola, assigned for delivery to-day, be
postponed until 10 O'clock tomorrow morn
ing, and that hereafter but one address be
delivered each day. He therefore an
nounced the session adjourned till to-mor-
row.
ANOTHER CASE OF FRICTION.
Another case of friction, growing out of
a misunderstanding of facts, has occurred.
One of the Irish physicians, DR.. Murphy, of
Dublin, has written a letter withdrawing
from the congress because he felt
affronted at not being invited to
night. A letter has been sent to
the doctor stating that the banquet was not
given under the auspices of the congress-
but of some of the individual delegates to
it, and that, consequently, the congress had
no voice whatever in the matter. He is
asked, under the circumstances, to recon
slider his action.
The morning discussions at most of the
sections were very slimly attended or had
no attendance at all, as most of the doctors
were at the general session. At some of the
sections no one but the Secretary or chair
man was present Not more than fifty per-
sons as a rule attended any one of the sec
ton meetings In the afternoon at the
same time, and at many meetings, papers
were read TO an audience of less than twenty
people.
EFFECTS OF ovERFLowS.
Richard H. Day, of Baton Rouge, La,
read an interesting paper on the effects of
the overhows on the general health before
the section on public and international hy-
giene. 1t was based on letters received from
swer to letters of inquiry. The conclusions
arrived at were that overflows, as a general
rule, were injurious to health, and
that the extent of the injury was dependent
on the duration of the inundation and its
season, and that its evil effects are lessened
by good drainage and copious showers of
rain occurring during the subsistence of the
waters. Rice culture, which has been con-
sidered injurious to health, Dr. Day de-
,Ia i1i1, 10
of the insanitary manner of its
cultivation To lessen the effects
of overfows he recommends storage of
rain water for drinking and cooking pur
poses, that all lands subject to overflow be
cleared of trees and underbrush, and thor
oughly drained before being settled upon,
that in rice culture frequent streams with
pure water be practiced instead of keeping
the fields covered with stagnant water, as
is now common. That the dwellings of the
laborers on these lowlands be raised at least
four feet from the ground, and where pos
sible be placed on ridge, and open to the
direct rays of the sun.
RECEIVED AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
President and Mrs Cleveland received the
members of the congress with their wives
and lady friends at the White House this
evening. The time assigned for the recep-
tion was one hour, visit to the
Corcoran art gallery having been planned
for the latter portion of the evening
When, however, the hour had expired, there
still remained line extending to the west
gate, and thence along the entire front of
the White House grounds, composed of
ladies and gentlemen still awaiting an op-
portunity to pay their respects. The re-
ception was therefore. prolonged until all
had been presented. II is estimated that
the number received was not less than 5000
Almost without exception the gentlemen
wore badges, indicating their membership
of the congress, and majority were accom-
panied by two or more ladies. The full
Marine Band was in attendance. The en-
tire lower floor of the mansion, including
the conservatory, was thrown open to the
visitors, who passed leisurely from parlor to
parlor, after having paid their respects to
President and Mrs. Cleveland
IN THE BLUE PARLoR.
The reception took place in the blue par
lor, where several of the leading local
physicians, with their wives were stationed.
Col Wilson was assisted by Dr. Hamilton,
of the Marine Hospital Service and Gen
eral Secretary of the congress, in making
the introductions. The cordiality of the
President and the winning grace of Mrs.
Cleveland throughout the presentation were
matters of remark among the throng who
met them this evening for the first time
Many beautiful tropical plants were
placed about the parlors and east
room, and the odor of fresh
House the visitors crossed the avenue to the
art gallery, which was opened and illumi-
mated in their honor The several halls
were comfortably filed throughout the
evening, but owing TO the delay at the
White House the crush which would other